Most Reviewed Daycares in San Francisco, CA (2026)
Choosing the right daycare in San Francisco, CA can be overwhelming. With 237 daycares operating across the San Francisco metro area, how do you separate the truly exceptional from the merely adequate? At The Daycare Directory, we analyze publicly available data to rank every daycare on a transparent, editorial basis -- no paid placements, no sponsored rankings.
This 2026 ranking evaluates daycares in San Francisco, California using total review volume, which reflects the breadth of client experience and community trust. We reviewed 237 active businesses in the San Francisco market and selected the top 15 for this list.
By the numbers: Guide Scores on this list range from 11 to 14 out of 100. Updated April 2026.
Each entry below includes the business's Guide Score, star rating, review count, and a data-driven explanation of why they earned their spot. Click through to any profile for the full breakdown including contact information, specialties, credentials, and related businesses in San Francisco.
The Top 15 Daycares in San Francisco, CA
-
#1 Moldovan Academy 14/100
Ranked 1st among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Moldovan Academy is a safety-first award-winning Preschool, Childcare, daycare, prekindergarten, and Transitional Kindergarten school located in the Bernal Heights and Noe Valley Neighborhood of San…
View full profile → -
#2 Project Commotion 14/100
Ranked 2nd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Supporting child development through inclusive movement and play. Preschool, after-school, summer camp, workshops, and residencies.
View full profile → -
#3 SOMA Daycare & Preschool 14/100
Ranked 3rd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/10882326812. Type: center-based. Program signals: preschool. Verified fields: name, website, address.
View full profile → -
#4 Glenridge Cooperative Nursery 14/100
Ranked 4th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School, founded in 1970, is a private preschool located within San Francisco’s only natural canyon in Glen Park. Our school provides child-centered, naturalistic, and de…
View full profile → -
#5 Montessori Children’s Center 14/100
Ranked 5th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Montessori Children’s Center is a classical Montessori school offering a Toddler Program (ages 2–3) and a Preschool and Kindergarten Program (ages 3–6), where each student’s evolution is nurtured ind…
View full profile → -
#6 Little People Preschool and T K 14/100
Ranked 6th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/6874544920. Type: center-based. Program signals: preschool. Verified fields: name, website, address.
View full profile → -
#7 New Journey 14/100
Ranked 7th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
New Journey Mandarin Immersion Preschool and Childcare is a high quality 100% Chinese (Mandarin) Immersion program for children age 15 months to 6 years old. We are a preschool program that provides…
View full profile → -
#8 Kai Ming Head Start 14/100
Ranked 8th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Kai Ming offers quality early childhood education in San Francisco. Prenatal, Home-based Care, Infant and Toddler Care, and Preschool. (415) 982-4777
View full profile → -
#9 Sweet Peas Preschool 12/100
Ranked 9th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Preschool in San Francisco
View full profile → -
#10 Noe Valley Nursery School 12/100
Ranked 10th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/378041773. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
View full profile → -
#11 Teaching Tots Preschool 12/100
Ranked 11th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Teaching Tots Preschool prepares your children for kindergarten through educational programs in a fun and loving environment. Contact us at (415) 731-9705 to know more.
View full profile → -
#12 The Crayon Box Preschool 12/100
Ranked 12th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/229621130. Type: center-based. Program signals: preschool. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
View full profile → -
#13 Jamaroo Kids 12/100
Ranked 13th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/5251303380. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.
View full profile → -
#14 Petite Explorer 12/100
Ranked 14th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/4550076309. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.
View full profile → -
#15 Lana's Dwarfs 11/100
Ranked 15th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/9464758908. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.
View full profile →
How We Ranked These Daycares
This list ranks daycares by total verified review count, reflecting the breadth of their client base and community trust. Ties are broken by Guide Score.
Data sources include Google Business Profile, professional registries, portfolio sites, press databases, and direct business submissions. Every piece of data is publicly verifiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did we rank the best daycares in San Francisco?
The Daycare Directory ranks daycares using our Guide Score (0-100), a composite metric computed from publicly available data. The score weighs Google reviews and ratings (30%), professional credentials and certifications (10%), press and media recognition (5%), web and portfolio presence (15%), years of experience (15%), profile completeness (10%), and awards (up to 5 bonus points). There is no paid placement -- every ranking is purely editorial.
Who is the #1 daycare in San Francisco, CA?
As of 2026, Moldovan Academy holds the #1 ranking in San Francisco with a Guide Score of 14/100. Rankings are recalculated with every data update and reflect the latest available information.
How often is this list updated?
Core data (ratings, reviews, contact information) is re-verified on a rolling monthly cadence. Credentials and awards are audited quarterly. Guide Scores recalculate automatically with every data update, so rankings may shift as new reviews are posted or credentials are verified.
How many daycares are there in San Francisco?
Our database currently tracks 237 active daycares in the San Francisco, CA metro area. This list highlights the top 15 based on Guide Score. Browse our full San Francisco directory to see every listed business.
Can a daycare pay to be ranked higher?
No. The Daycare Directory does not accept payment for rankings. Guide Scores are computed algorithmically from verified public data. Businesses can claim and update their profile with accurate information, but the ranking algorithm treats all profiles equally. Our editorial independence is core to our methodology.
What should I look for when hiring a daycare in San Francisco?
We recommend evaluating: (1) professional certifications and credentials, (2) verified customer reviews and ratings, (3) years of experience in the San Francisco market, (4) portfolio quality and range of work, (5) budget alignment with your project scope, and (6) responsiveness and communication style. Our Guide Score weighs these factors so you can compare at a glance.